18-02-2025
Vancouver man arrested following Valentine's Day chase on I-84
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man from Vancouver Wash. was arrested on Valentine's Day after leading Oregon State Police on a chase spanning two counties.
The chase began shortly before 3:30 p.m., when Oregon State Police attempted to stop a blue Toyota Prius in the Dalles. The driver of the Prius, 25-year-old Nathan Runkle, allegedly evaded officers by fleeing east on I-84.
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The Sherman County Sheriff's Office spotted Runkle in Biggs Junction and gave chase on Highway 97. Sherman County deputies attempted to use a spike strip on the Prius but failed. Runkle ultimately evaded law enforcement for a second time while heading east toward the Sherman County Fairgrounds.
'The pursuit was terminated before Moro with the intent to slow the suspect down as he passed through town,' the Sherman County Sheriff's Office said. 'Law enforcement lost visual contact in Moro.'
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A short time later, a local farmer reported a crashed Prius 1 mile east of Moro. The sheriff's office and Oregon state troopers responded to the scene and determined that Runkle had fled the scene on foot.
'The suspect fled on foot into the canyon,' SCSO said. 'A thermal drone was used. It located the suspect about 30 minutes later.'
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Law enforcement caught up with Runkle, provided medical care at the scene and took him into custody.
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